In the 4 weeks prior to the National Health Survey, an estimated 53,500 Tasmanians suffered an injury (11.6% of Tasmanians). This included 18,400 Tasmanians who suffered a low fall (4.0%), and 10,400 persons who injured themselves when hitting something or being hit by something (2.3%). Another 6,900 suffered a bite or a sting (1.5%), 1,800 persons were injured when exposed to fire (0.4%), and 1,600 persons suffered a high fall (0.3%).

(Source: ABS data available on request, 2001 National Health Survey.)

EMPLOYMENT INJURIES, Compensable, Tasmania - 2001-02

Fatalities

Non-fatal injuries

All injuries

no.

($m)(a)

no.

($m)(a)

no.

($m)(a)

Males

9

1.3

7,471

57.0

7,480

58.4

Females

-

-

3,087

26.3

3,088

26.3

Total persons

9

1.3

10,558

83.3

10,567

84.7

- nil or rounded to zero(a) The total cost of all compensable injuries reported during the year was estimated as all actual payments made on reported injuries to 30 April 2003 plus estimated outstanding payments as at 30 April 2003.

Source: WorkCover Tasmania Board.

A compensable injury is a workplace injury sustained by a worker for which worker's compensation is determined to be payable, following a worker submitting a claim for compensation. In 2001-02, there were 10,567 compensable injuries reported to the WorkCover Tasmania Board. Of this number, there were 9 fatalities, all of which involved male workers. The estimated total cost of those fatalities was $1.3 million, an estimated average cost per fatality of $147,000.

The number of non-fatal compensable injuries in 2001-02 was 10,558. Of this number, 29.2% (3,087) were women, and 70.8% (7,471) were men.